Petunia plant named `Dancaspink`

ABSTRACT

The petunia plant named `Dancaspink` is particularly characterized by its compact, slightly upright trailing growth habit, pink/red-purple main flower color, with intense red-purple center and veins, and good weather tolerance.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of petunia, known by the cultivar name `Dancaspink`.

`Dancaspink` was originated from a hybridization made by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in a controlled breeding program in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in 1995. The male and female parents were unnamed proprietary lines used in the breeding program.

`Dancaspink` was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by the inventor in May 1995 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Dancaspink` was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in June 1995 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva by a technician working under the supervision of the inventor. Horticultural examination of selected units was initiated in September 1995 and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for `Dancaspink` are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Dancaspink` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without any variations in genotype. The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe the plants grown in Mishmar Hashiva under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of `Dancaspink` which in combination distinguish this petunia as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact, slightly upright trailing growth habit.

2. Center of flower and veins are intense red-purple in color, with main color between veins being a lighter pink/red-purple.

3. Good weather tolerance including vigorous growth under hot climate conditions. The plant tolerates mild winter conditions and recovers well after heavy rain.

Of the many comercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in comparison to `Dancaspink` is the commercial cultivar `Surfinia Pink Vein`. In comparison to `Surfinia Pink Vein`, `Dancaspink` has a slightly more upright growth habit, smaller diameter flower, and a more intense red-purple flower color.

While the cultivar name of this plant is `Dancaspink` for purposes of international recognition, it is being marketed in the United States under the tradename "Pink Spark".

In the accompanying photographic drawings,

Sheet 1 comprises a side view showing typical flower and foliage characteristics of `Dancaspink`, with the colors being as true as possible with illustrations of this type.

Sheet 2 is a close-up view showing the corolla throat and flower vein details.

In the following description color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined between 10:00-12:00 a.m. in October 1996 under full sunlight at Mishmar Hashiva.

Classification:

Botanical.--Petunia hybrida.

Commercial.--Petunia cultivar `Dancaspink`.

Plant:

Branching.--Trailing growth habit, free, densely branched plant.

Pinching.--Pinching is required early in growth to induce a branched plant. Pinching generally delays the first flowering; however, after the initial pinching, flowering is fast and free with no additional pinching required.

Growth habit.--Compact trailing, slightly upright growth habit.

Plant height.--Approximately 13-15 cm.

Spreading area.--Approximately 90-103 cm.

Blooming period.--Throughout year.

Stem:

Thickness.--2-3 mm.

Color.--Green R.H.S. 147C.

Pubescence.--Yes.

Branching.--Free.

Length of internode.--12-15 mm.

Rooting.--Stems, while attached to the plant, do not root at the nodes when placed in moist soil. Cuttings do root.

Leaf:

Arrangement on stem.--Alternate.

Shape.--Ovate.

Size.--Approximately 2.5 cm.

Thickness.--1.0 mm.

Color.--147 B (upper leaf surface).

Pubescence.--Yes.

Flower:

Orientation at opening.--Upright.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--The shape is regular with a round corolla that is united with 5 lobes and has a long straight tube about 45 mm in length has been added.

Diameter.--45 mm.

Color.--Upper surface: Main color R.H.S. 81C, veins and throat on upper surface R.H.S. 71A. Lower surface: main color much lighter. than R.H.S. 74C-D, vein coloration similar to that on upper surface.

Calyx.--Five pubescent sepals, about 12 mm in length, coloration is green (closest to R.H.S. 146B).

Peduncle.--Length: 18 mm. Color: Green.

Reproductive organs.--Pistil: Number: 1. Color: Green. Stamens: Number: 5. Anther: Gray-blue. Filament: White.

Other characteristics.--The cultivar does not set seeds.

Disease resistance:

`Dancaspink` has not any unusual susceptibility to common diseases of petunia and is resistant to most leaf diseases. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of petunia plant 